U.S. patent application number 14/360369 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-11 for gymnastic machine with data exchange by means of a short range communication channel and training system using such machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Technogym S.p.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is Technogym S.p.A.. Invention is credited to Denis Bettini.
Application Number | 20150157895 14/360369 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45560980 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150157895 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bettini; Denis |
June 11, 2015 |
GYMNASTIC MACHINE WITH DATA EXCHANGE BY MEANS OF A SHORT RANGE
COMMUNICATION CHANNEL AND TRAINING SYSTEM USING SUCH MACHINE
Abstract
A gymnastic machine (3) is described comprising: a data
processing unit and relative control station (4) operatively
associated to said data processing unit, at least one short-range
communication interface (6) operatively associated to said data
processing unit. The short range communication interface (6) is
configured to form a two-way short-range communication channel to
receive at least one user identification code. A training system
(100) for a user is also described, comprising: a portable
electronic device (1) associated to the user; a short-range
communication interface (2) operatively associated to said portable
electronic device (1); said short range interface (2) being
configured to form a two-way, short-range communication channel to
provide at least one user identification code; the aforementioned
gymnastic machine (3).
Inventors: |
Bettini; Denis; (Gambettola,
IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Technogym S.p.A. |
Gambettola, Forli' e Cesena |
|
IT |
|
|
Assignee: |
Technogym S.p.A.
Gambettola, Forli' e Cesena
IT
|
Family ID: |
45560980 |
Appl. No.: |
14/360369 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
November 23, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2012/056685 |
371 Date: |
May 23, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/4 ;
482/8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 24/0062 20130101;
H04W 4/80 20180201; G16H 40/63 20180101; G16H 20/30 20180101; A63B
24/0075 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 30, 2011 |
IT |
MI2011A002191 |
Claims
1. Gymnastic machine which can be used by a user for training,
comprising: a data processing unit, a control station of the
gymnastic machine operatively associated to said data processing
unit, at least one short-range communication interface associated
to said data processing unit, wherein said at least one short-range
communication interface is configured to form a two-way short-range
communication channel to receive at least a user identification
code from the user's portable electronic device.
2. Gymnastic machine according to claim 1, wherein the processing
unit is configured to communicate, on the basis of the user
identification code, data representative of the training performed
by the user to a remote electronic processor, through a long range
communication channel.
3. Gymnastic machine according to claim 1, wherein the processing
unit is configured to communicate, on the basis of the user
identification code, data representative of the training performed
by the user to the user's portable electronic device, through said
short-range communication interface.
4. Gymnastic machine according to claim 1, comprising, in addition,
a further short-range communication interface associated to said
data processing unit, configured to exchange, on the basis of the
user identification code, data representative of the training
performed by the user to the user's portable electronic device,
through said further short-range communication interface.
5. Gymnastic machine according to claim 1, wherein the data
processing unit is configured to download, on the basis of the user
identification code, data representative of the training program to
be followed from a remote electronic processor, through a long
range communication channel.
6. Gymnastic machine according to claim 1, wherein the short-range
communication interface is in NFC technology or other
NFC-compatible technology.
7. Gymnastic machine (3) according to claim 4, wherein said further
short-range communication interface is in Bluetooth technology.
8. Training system for a user, comprising: a portable electronic
device associated to the user; a short-range communication
interface operatively associated to said portable electronic
device, said short range interface being configured to form a
two-way short-range communication channel to provide at least one
user identification code; a gymnastic machine according to claim
1.
9. System according to claim 8, wherein the short-range
communication interface associated to the portable electronic
device is configured to form a two-way short-range communication
channel to provide said at least one user identification code to
the gymnastic machine.
10. System according to claim 9, wherein the short-range
communication interface associated to the portable electronic
device is configured to exchange, on the basis of the user
identification code, further representative data of the training of
the user by means of the two-way short-range communication channel
formed between the short-range communication interface associated
to the portable electronic device and said at least one short-range
communication interface associated to the gymnastic machine.
11. System according to claim 9, wherein the portable electronic
device comprises a further short-range communication interface in
Bluetooth technology, to exchange on the basis of the user
identification code, further representative data of the training of
the user by means of a two way communication channel formed between
the further short-range communication interface associated to the
portable electronic device and the further short-range
communication interface of the gymnastic machine.
12-16. (canceled)
17. System according to claim 8, further comprising a remote
electronic processor, configured to provide the portable electronic
device on the basis of the user identification code, data
representative of the training program to be followed by the user,
by means of a long range communication channel.
18. System according to claim 8, wherein the portable electronic
device is configured to provide the gymnastic machine, on the basis
of the user identification code, the data representative of the
training program to be followed by the user, by means of a short
range communication channel.
19. (canceled)
20. System according to claim 8, wherein the gymnastic machine is
configured to provide the remote electronic processor, on the basis
of the user identification code, the partial or complete data of
the training program performed by the user, by means of a long
range communication channel.
21. System according to claim 20, wherein the gymnastic machine is
configured to transfer to the portable electronic device, on the
basis of the user identification code, the partial or complete data
of the training program performed by the user, by means of the
short range communication channel, the portable electronic device
being configured to transfer to the remote electronic processor, on
the basis of the user identification code, the partial or complete
data of the training program performed by the user, by means of the
long range communication channel.
22. (canceled)
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to the fitness sector, in
particular, to a gymnastic machine utilisable by a user with data
exchange by means of a short range communication channel and a
relative training system using such gymnastic machine.
[0002] In the fitness sector training systems are known and
widespread which permit a user to provide information to the
gymnastic machine for setting up said machine before its use. Such
information comprises both data representative of the user (such as
age, gender, and so forth) and data needed to set the parameters of
the gymnastic machine (for example in the case of a treadmill,
speed, incline and so forth). In addition, such training systems
also permit measuring and monitoring of the physical exercise
performed by the user during a training exercise.
[0003] In particular, to provide the gymnastic machine with the
information required, the user is typically provided with a
suitable electronic portable device (such as a key or pen drive)
configured to communicate with the gymnastic machine. Such portable
electronic device may be physically connected to the gymnastic
machine for a wired communication.
[0004] Such training system has the drawback of imposing on the
user the use of such portable electronic device which obviously
adds to the other portable devices a user usually has with him
(such as a mobile phone or multimedia audio/video content
player).
[0005] In order to overcome such drawback, training systems exist
which use the mobile phone directly to permit the user at least to
collect data during performance of a training program or in general
while performing physical exercise.
[0006] However, the use of the mobile phone in such sphere is
limited to monitoring the physical activity performed by a user
collecting information from fixed targets distributed for example
along a training circuit of the user or at a fixed point (such as
the upright of the net on a volleyball court) in relation to which
the user exercises.
[0007] Such training systems permit a reduction of the use of
further ad hoc electronic devices for monitoring training. Despite
this, in such systems only a reduced quantity of data can be
handled (in practice only the data relative to monitoring the
physical exercise performed) compared to the quantity of data which
can be exchanged between the user and gymnastic machine for setting
up and performing training. In addition, such systems are
particularly suitable for monitoring an outdoor type of activity
and relative to indoor activities are limited to monitoring aerobic
physical exercise performed in large spaces (for example the
exercise performed during a volleyball match) without requiring
interaction with a specific gymnastic machine.
[0008] The purpose of the present invention is to devise and make
available a gymnastic machine utilisable by a user and a training
system of the user which makes it possible to overcome the
drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art and in
particular such as to make the training as efficient and practical
as possible in relation to the electronic components utilisable by
the user and as reliable as possible as regards the completeness
and accuracy of the data handled.
[0009] Such purpose is achieved by a gymnastic machine utilisable
by a user for training according to claim 1.
[0010] Preferred embodiments of such gymnastic machine are defined
in the dependent claims 2-7.
[0011] The present invention relates to a training system for a
user according to claim 8. Preferred embodiments of such training
system are defined in the dependent claims 9-22.
[0012] Further characteristics and advantages of the gymnastic
machine and of the training system for a user according to the
invention will, in any case, be evident from the description given
below of its preferred embodiments, made by way of non-limiting
examples with reference to the appended figures, wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 schematically shows a training system for a user with
a gymnastic machine utilisable by the use according to one example
of the invention; and
[0014] FIG. 2 schematically shows a training system for a user with
a gymnastic machine utilisable by the user according to a further
example of the invention.
[0015] With reference to FIG. 1, a training system 100 for a user
will now be described, hereinafter simply training system or
system, according to one example of the invention.
[0016] The system 100 in FIG. 1 comprises a portable electronic
device 1 associated to the user.
[0017] For the purposes of the present description, a portable
electronic device is taken to mean a mobile phone, including of the
latest generation (smart phone), a multimedia audio/video content
player (for example MP3 audio player), a tablet and so forth.
[0018] The portable electronic device 1, whether a mobile phone, a
multimedia audio/video content player or tablet, comprises a
processing unit, a memory module, a display screen and a command
module to enable the user to use the portable electronic device,
for example of the touch screen type, not shown in the figures.
[0019] Returning to the training system 100, it comprises a
short-range communication interface 2 operatively associated to the
portable electronic device 1.
[0020] Short range communication is understand to means a wireless
technology such as NFC (Near Field Communication), advantageously
permitting the two-way exchange of data between two electronic
devices up to a maximum distance of about 10 cm. Consequently, such
term is not meant to comprise a communication via the Internet
which is by definition a long range communication.
[0021] The short-range communication interface 2 associated to the
portable electronic device 1 is advantageously configured to form a
two-way short-range communication channel to exchange at least a
user identification code. The user identification code is for
example an alphanumerical string representative of the user.
[0022] In greater detail, the short-range communication interface 2
operatively associated to the portable electronic device 1 is
configured to form a two-way short-range communication channel to
provide at least a user identification code to a gymnastic machine
3, described below.
[0023] In addition, such short-range communication interface 2
associated to the portable electronic device 1 is configured to
exchange, on the basis of the user identification code, further
representative data of the training of the user by means of the
two-way short-range communication channel formed between the
short-range communication interface 2 associated to the portable
electronic device 1 and said at least one short-range communication
interface 6 associated to the gymnastic machine 3.
[0024] Further representative data of the training of the user is
taken to mean:
[0025] data representative of the training program to be performed
by the user (for example in the case of a treadmill, the incline,
speed thereof and so forth or, in the case of weight training
apparatus, the repetitions to be performed, weight to be lifted,
and so forth);
[0026] any data representative of some of the user parameters
required by the gymnastic machine to correctly set up the exercise
envisaged by the training program (such as user's weight, age and
so forth);
[0027] data representative of the partial or complete results of
the training performed by the user (such as time spent, calories
burnt, weight lifted, number of repetitions performed and so
forth).
[0028] In the example according to the invention, the short-range
communication interface 2 associated to the portable electronic
device 1 is preferably in NFC technology.
[0029] It is to be noted, in addition, that the portable electronic
device 1 comprises a further short-range communication interface 2'
in Bluetooth technology, to exchange on the basis of the user
identification code, further representative data of the training of
the user by means of a two-way communication channel formed between
the further short-range communication interface 2' associated to
the portable electronic device 1 and the further short-range
communication interface of the gymnastic machine 3. This
advantageously permits the exchange of such further data at a
maximum distance of about 20 m (limit value guaranteed by Bluetooth
technology).
[0030] In addition, such data communication channel in Bluetooth
technology advantageously makes it possible to exchange, on the
basis of the user identification code, any multimedia audio/video
content or photos stored in a memory module of the portable
electronic device 1, which the user may also use on a display
screen of a gymnastic machine (described below).
[0031] Returning to the example in FIG. 1, the short-range
communication interface 2 associated to the portable electronic
device 1 is advantageously incorporated in the portable electronic
device 1 (as shown schematically in FIG. 1).
[0032] In a further embodiment, not shown in the drawings, such
short-range communication interface 2 associated to the portable
electronic device 1 may be incorporated in a respective electronic
adaptor (such as a microSD card) operatively connected to the
portable electronic device 1.
[0033] In addition, it is to be noted that in the particular
embodiment, in which the short-range communication interface 2
associated to the portable electronic device 1 is incorporated in
the respective electronic adaptor connected to the portable
electronic device 1, the further communication interface in
Bluetooth technology 2', may also be incorporated in such
electronic adaptor.
[0034] Returning in general to the example in FIG. 1, the system
100 comprises in addition a gymnastic machine 3 which can be used
by the user for training.
[0035] For the purposes of the present invention gymnastic machine
is taken to mean any machine which can be used by a user to perform
physical exercise such as for example a treadmill, an exercise
bike, an exercise bike with reclined seat, weight training
apparatus and so forth.
[0036] In the example in the figures, the gymnastic machine 3 is
shown only partially so as to better highlight the characteristics
important for the purposes of the present description. The portion
of gymnastic machine 3 shown by way of example refers to a
treadmill. In particular, the front part only of the treadmill is
shown, comprising a display screen described below.
[0037] The gymnastic machine 3 comprises a data processing unit and
a respective memory unit (not shown in the drawings). The memory
unit is configured to store program codes run by the data
processing unit to manage the training of the user with the
gymnastic machine 3 and the data processed by the data processing
unit.
[0038] The gymnastic machine 3 comprises a control station 4 of the
gymnastic machine 3 operatively associated to said data processing
unit.
[0039] The control station 4 is preferably provided with a display
screen 5 and a respective command module, for example of the touch
screen type, configured to permit the user to interface with the
gymnastic machine 3.
[0040] It is to be noted that in the example in the drawings, the
command module is the touch screen type and thereby coincides with
the display screen 5.
[0041] The gymnastic machine 3 further comprises at least one
respective short-range communication interface 6 operatively
associated to the data processing unit.
[0042] Such at least one short-range communication interface 6, is
advantageously configured to form a two-way short-range
communication channel to receive at least one user identification
code from the user's portable electronic device 1.
[0043] In the example shown in FIG. 1 the short-range communication
interface 6 associated to the data processing unit is incorporated
in the gymnastic machine 3.
[0044] In greater detail, according to one embodiment, the
short-range communication interface 6 associated to the data
processing unit is a support surface 7, made and suitably
identified inside a storage compartment which the gymnastic machine
3 is provided with, of the user's portable electronic device 1.
[0045] In a further embodiment, alternative to or in addition to
the previous, the short-range communication interface 6 associated
to the data processing unit may be placed in a housing of the
gymnastic machine 3 inside which the portable electronic device 1
may be housed. In the drawings, the moveable hatch 7' is shown by
means of which it is possible to access said housing.
[0046] In a further embodiment, alternative to the previous, the
short-range communication interface 6 associated to the data
processing unit is a portion 8 of the display screen 5 of the
control station 4 (as schematically illustrated in FIG. 1) or in
general a portion of the gymnastic machine 3.
[0047] In a further embodiment, the gymnastic machine 3 may
comprise, as short-range communication interface 6 associated to
the data processing unit, both the support surface 7 of a
compartment which the gymnastic machine 3 is provided with, and a
portion 8 of the display screen 5 of the control station 4 or in
general a portion of the gymnastic machine 3.
[0048] Again, in a further embodiment, not shown in the drawings,
the short-range communication interface 6 associated to the data
processing unit may be incorporated in a respective electronic
adaptor operatively connected in turn to the gymnastic machine 3,
for example by means of a USB type connection.
[0049] It is to be observed that, the short-range communication
interface 6 associated to the data processing unit, configured to
receive at least the user identification code, is preferably in NFC
technology.
[0050] In other embodiments, the short-range communication
interface 6 associated to the data processing unit may be in an
NFC-compatible technology, such as Mifare technology or Felica
technology, in themselves known.
[0051] It is to be observed that, the processing unit is configured
to communicate, on the basis of the user identification code, data
representative of the training performed by the user to the user's
portable electronic device, through said short-range communication
interface.
[0052] The gymnastic machine 3 may, in addition, comprise a further
short-range communication interface, preferably in Bluetooth
technology (not shown in the drawings), associated to the data
processing unit, configured to exchange on a two-way communication
channel in Bluetooth technology, on the basis of the user
identification code, further representative data of the training of
the user (as defined above) through said further short-range
communication interface.
[0053] It is to be observed that, the formation of the two-way
short-range communication channel, for example in NFC technology,
for the exchange of said at least one user identification code
takes place following the movement, by the user, of the portable
electronic device 1 towards the gymnastic machine 3 at the moment
in which the distance between the short-range communication
interface 2 associated to the portable electronic device 1 and the
short-range communication interface 6 associated to the data
processing unit of the gymnastic machine 3 is about 10 cm or less,
as required in the case of communication interfaces in NFC
technology.
[0054] As regards the further data which can be exchanged in the
communication channel formed between the portable electronic device
1 and the gymnastic machine 3, on the basis of the user
identification code, the exchange of such further data may take
place maintaining a distance which is about 10 cm or less in the
case in which one wishes to continue exchanging the further data in
the short range data communication channel in NFC technology or
increasing such distance to over 10 cm in the case in which one
wishes to continue exchanging the further data in a short range
communication channel in Bluetooth technology. In such latter case,
it will be possible to transfer from the portable electronic device
1 to the gymnastic machine 3 any multimedia audio/video content or
photos stored in the memory module of the portable electronic
device 1, which the user may also use on the display screen 5 of
the gymnastic machine 3.
[0055] With particular reference to the partial training data, the
data processing unit of the gymnastic machine 3 is configured to
transfer such data, on the basis of the user identification code,
by means of the short-range, two-way communication channel at
regular intervals, for example every 5 or 15 seconds.
[0056] As regards the dimensions of the data transferable between
the portable electronic device 1 and the gymnastic machine 3, it is
to be noted that the transfer of data having large dimensions (such
as for example any audio/video multimedia content or photos) may
take place through the two-way communication channel using a
technology having a greater capacity than NFC technology, such as
Bluetooth technology. However, Bluetooth technology requires an
authentication step (known as "pairing") needed at the moment of
forming the respective communication channel, which requires the
user to enter a security code.
[0057] Consequently, in the case in which data having large
dimensions (such as the aforesaid multimedia content) needs to be
transferred from the portable electronic device 1, not transferable
by a communication channel in NFC technology the portable
electronic device 1 and the gymnastic machine 3 may advantageously
use the two-way short-range communication channel in NFC technology
to exchange the user identification code so as to perform the
authentication between the portable electronic device 1 and the
gymnastic machine 3 and subsequently use the two-way short-range
communication channel in authenticated Bluetooth technology,
without the user having to enter any security code.
[0058] In addition, the communication channel in Bluetooth
technology advantageously permits the exchange of data in general
imposing less restrictive limitations of distance, between the
portable electronic device 1 and the gymnastic machine 3, than
those guaranteed by NFC technology. In fact, the maximum distance
permitted by Bluetooth technology is up to about 20 m while the
maximum guaranteed by NFC technology is about 10 cm.
[0059] In the light of this, the use of a two-way short-range
communication channel in Bluetooth technology advantageously
permits two limitations of the NFC technology to be overcome: the
first limit is related to the maximum dimension of transferable
data (band width) and the second limit is related to the maximum
communication distance (range) between the portable electronic
device 1 and the gymnastic machine 3.
[0060] To such purpose, it is to be noted that naturally, in the
case in which the distance between the portable electronic device 1
and the gymnastic machine 3 were such as not to permit NFC
communication, the data exchange would automatically take place
through the two-way short-range communication channel in Bluetooth
technology.
[0061] For example, during training by the user, the relative
results (partial and/or complete) may be transferred through the
short-range communication channel in Bluetooth technology, if the
distance does not permit the exchange through the two-way
short-range communication channel in NFC technology.
[0062] Lastly, it is to be noted that according to any of the
embodiments described above, the data processing unit of the
gymnastic machine 3 is configured to communicate directly or
through the portable electronic device 1, on the basis of the user
identification code, data representative of the training performed
by the user to a remote electronic processor (described below)
through a long range communication channel, such as an Internet
connection.
[0063] In addition, according to any of the embodiments described
above, such data processing unit is configured to download, on the
basis of the user identification code, data representative of the
training program to be followed from the remote electronic
processor, by means of a long range communication channel.
[0064] Returning to the example in FIG. 1, the system 100 further
comprises a remote electronic processor 9, for example a computer
server.
[0065] The remote electronic processor 9, is configured to exchange
with the portable electronic device 1 or directly with the
gymnastic machine 3, on the basis of the user identification code,
the further representative data of the training of the user, or the
data representative of the training performed by the user and/or
the data representative of the training program to be followed, by
means of a long range communication channel, for example an
Internet connection preferably wireless.
[0066] In particular, the remote electronic processor 9 is
configured to transfer the data representative of the training
program to the portable electronic device 1, on the basis of the
user identification code, by means of the long range communication
channel.
[0067] In addition, the remote electronic processor 9 is also
configured to acquire from the gymnastic machine 3, on the basis of
the user identification code, partial and/or complete data
representative of the training program performed by the user, by
means of the long range communication channel.
[0068] Alternatively, the electronic processor 9 is configured to
acquire, on the basis of the user identification code, data
representative of the training performed by the user from the
portable electronic device 1, as said above, by means of the long
range communication channel. The portable electronic device 1 is in
turn configured to acquire such further data, on the basis of the
user identification code, directly from the gymnastic machine 3, by
means of the short range communication channel (in NFC or Bluetooth
technology).
[0069] With general reference again to the training system in FIG.
1, it is to be noted that the short-range communication channel in
NFC technology advantageously permits the transfer of the user
identification code from the portable electronic device 1 to the
gymnastic machine 3 (identification of the user by the gymnastic
machine 3).
[0070] Following such identification, the user can perform the
training in two different modes, manual or automatic.
[0071] In the manual training mode, the user can manually set the
functioning parameters of the gymnastic machine 3 (for example, in
the case of a treadmill, speed and incline) and thus perform the
training.
[0072] It is to be noted that in this mode, no transfer of data
representative of the training performed by the user takes place
but only the so-called monitoring or tracking of the partial or
complete results of the training in the gymnastic machine 3.
[0073] Such (partial or complete) results of the training are then
transferred from the gymnastic machine 3 preferably directly to the
remote electronic processor 9, through the long range communication
channel. Alternatively, they may be transferred from the gymnastic
machine 3 to the portable electronic device 1, by means of the
short range communication channel, and subsequently from the
portable electronic device 1 to the remote electronic processor 9,
by means of the long range communication channel (synchronisation
of data).
[0074] In the automatic training mode, the data representative of
the training program to be followed for example previously assigned
to the user by a personal trainer, are stored inside the portable
electronic device 1 and/or remote electronic processor 9, on the
basis of the user identification code.
[0075] The transfer of data representative of the training program
to be followed (for example in the form of code strings) to the
gymnastic machine 3 may take place, on the basis of the user
identification code, from the portable electronic device 1, through
the short-range communication channel which previously acquired
such data directly from the remote electronic processor 9, by means
of the long range communication channel.
[0076] In other words, the remote electronic processor 9 is
configured to provide the portable electronic device 1, on the
basis of the user identification code, data representative of the
training program to be followed by the user, by means of a long
range communication channel. In addition, the portable electronic
device 1 is configured to provide the gymnastic machine 3, on the
basis of the user identification code, the data representative of
the training program to be followed by the user, by means of a
short range communication channel.
[0077] It is to be noted that the transfer from the remote
electronic processor 9 to the portable electronic device 1 (data
synchronisation) and the subsequent transfer from the portable
electronic device 1 to the gymnastic machine 3, need not occur
immediately one after the other. In fact, the user may in, at an
initial moment (for example while still at home) synchronise the
portable electronic device 1 with the remote electronic processor 9
so as to acquire on the basis of the user identification code, the
data representative of the training program to be followed and at a
later time, when in the gym (for example one week after the initial
moment), synchronise the gymnastic machine 3 with the portable
electronic device 1 so as to load on the gymnastic machine 3, on
the basis of the user identification code, the data representative
of the training program to be followed.
[0078] It is to be noted, in addition, that the transfer of the
data representative of the training program to be followed towards
the gymnastic machine 3 may take place, on the basis of the user
identification code, in addition to or alternatively to the
portable electronic device 1, directly from the remote electronic
processor 9, through the long range communication channel.
[0079] The gymnastic machine 3 is configured to provide the remote
electronic processor 9, on the basis of the user identification
code, the partial or complete data of the training performed by the
user.
[0080] In greater detail, the results of the training (partial or
complete), "tracked" by the gymnastic machine 3 are transferred
from the gymnastic machine 3 preferably directly to the remote
electronic processor 9, on the basis of the user identification
code, by means of the long range communication channel
(synchronisation of data).
[0081] Alternatively, the gymnastic machine 3 is configured to
transfer to the portable electronic device 1, on the basis of the
user identification code, the partial or complete data of the
training program performed by the user, by means of the short range
communication channel. In this example of embodiment, the portable
electronic device 1 is configured to transfer to the remote
electronic processor 9, on the basis of the user identification
code, the partial or complete data of the training program
performed by the user, by means of the long range communication
channel.
[0082] With reference now to FIG. 2, a training system 200 for a
user will now be described, according to a further example of the
invention.
[0083] It is to be noted that similar or analogous elements and
components of the example in FIG. 1 and the further example in FIG.
2 will be indicated using the same reference numerals.
[0084] The system 200 comprises a portable electronic device 1
entirely similar to that of the example in FIG. 2.
[0085] In addition, the system 200 comprises a respective
short-range communication interface 2 operatively associated to the
portable electronic device 1.
[0086] Such short-range communication interface associated to the
portable electronic device 1, entirely analogous to that described
above with reference to FIG. 1, may be incorporated in the portable
electronic device 1 or incorporated in a respective electronic
adaptor (not shown in the figure) operatively connected to the
portable electronic device 1.
[0087] The system 200 further comprises a gymnastic machine 3,
entirely similar to that in the example of FIG. 1.
[0088] The system 200 of the further example in FIG. 2 further
comprises a portable electronic media 10, which the user is
provided with, configured to be operatively associated to the
gymnastic machine 3.
[0089] Such portable electronic media 10 comprises a control
module, a memory module and a communication module with the
gymnastic machine 3 (not shown in the figure). Such memory module
is configured to store a user identification code. Such
communication module can be configured to permit a wired connection
with the gymnastic machine 3 (such as a USB port) or wireless
connection (for example through Mifare, NFC technology and so
forth).
[0090] To such purpose, the gymnastic machine 3 comprises a housing
11 to house the portable electronic media 10, and facilitate the
connection between said media 10 and the gymnastic machine 3,
whether such takes place in wired or wireless mode.
[0091] In one embodiment, the portable electronic media 10 may be a
simple personal data storage unit (key or pen drive) which the user
identification code (for example an alphanumerical string
representative of the user data) personal data of the user such as
age, weight, height and so forth, the training program to be
followed and the partial or complete results of the training
performed, can be stored in.
[0092] In a further embodiment, the portable electronic media 10
may instead be an electronic device suitable for wearing by the
user configured in addition to monitor the physical exercise
performed by the user (such as a step counter key or key with GPS).
In such case, the portable electronic media 10 is preferably
provided with a display screen to provide the user with an
indication of the progress of the physical exercise performed.
[0093] Returning to the system 200 in FIG. 2, the portable
electronic media 10 comprises a respective short range interface 12
advantageously configured to form a short-range communication
channel to provide at least the user identification code to the
gymnastic machine 3.
[0094] In one embodiment, the short-range communication interface
12 associated to the portable electronic media 10 is incorporated
in said portable electronic media 10.
[0095] According to another embodiment, the short-range
communication interface 12 associated to the portable electronic
media 10 is incorporated in a respective electronic adaptor
connected to the portable electronic media 10.
[0096] It is to be noted that the short-range communication
interface 12 associated to the portable electronic media 10 is
configured to exchange, on the basis of the user identification
code, further representative data of the training of the user,
already described above with reference to the example in FIG. 1 and
therefore not repeated here.
[0097] In a further embodiment, the portable electronic media 10
further comprises a further interface 12' in Bluetooth technology,
configured to form a two-way short-range communication channel for
the exchange, on the basis of the user identification code, of the
further representative data of the training of the user between the
gymnastic machine 3 and the portable electronic device 1.
[0098] In a further embodiment, said short-range communication
interface 12 in Bluetooth technology may be incorporated in a
respective electronic adaptor connected to the portable electronic
media 10.
[0099] In the case of data having large dimensions (already
described above) in a further embodiment, the portable electronic
device 1 is configured to exchange, on the basis of the user
identification code, data representative of the training of the
user and/or further multimedia contents with the gymnastic machine
3 through the two-way short-range communication channel in
Bluetooth technology, enabled thanks to the transfer of the user
identification code onto the short-range communication channel
between the portable electronic media 10 and the gymnastic machine
3.
[0100] In greater detail, the portable electronic device 1 is
configured to transfer to the portable electronic media 10, through
the two-way short-range communication channel in NFC technology, at
least the user identification code. Subsequently, the portable
electronic device 1 is configured to transfer to the gymnastic
machine 3, on the basis of the user identification code, data
having large dimensions through the Bluetooth communication channel
formed directly between the portable electronic device 1 and the
gymnastic machine 3 but enabled beforehand through the short-range,
two-way communication channel in NFC technology. In this embodiment
too, the authentication for forming the communication channel in
Bluetooth technology takes place without the user having to enter a
security code.
[0101] It is to be noted that in this embodiment, the exchange of
data between the portable electronic device 1 and the gymnastic
machine 3 takes place through the Bluetooth technology
communication channel. This advantageously permits the exchange of
data having large dimensions imposing less restrictive limitations
of distance between the portable electronic device 1 and the
gymnastic machine 3, than those guaranteed by NFC technology (as
explained above).
[0102] In addition, according to a further embodiment, the portable
electronic media 10 is configured to exchange with the gymnastic
machine 3, on the basis of the user identification code, data
representative of the training of the user through a connection
channel in USB technology.
[0103] The system 200 in FIG. 2 further comprises a remote
electronic processor 9, for example a computer server, operatively
associated to the portable electronic device 1. The remote
electronic processor 9 is entirely analogous to that described with
reference to the remote electronic processor 9 of the example in
FIG. 1.
[0104] To such purpose, the portable electronic device 1 is
configured to acquire from the remote electronic processor 9, on
the basis of the user identification code, the data representative
of the training program to be followed by means of the long range
communication channel (synchronisation of data). The portable
electronic device 1 is configured to provide to the portable
electronic media 10, on the basis of the user identification code,
the data representative of the training program to be followed by
the user, (synchronisation of the data between the portable
electronic device 1 and the portable electronic media 10), by means
of a short-range, two-way communication channel, preferably in NFC
technology or in Bluetooth technology (if the distance between the
device and the media does not permit the exchange of data in NFC
technology).
[0105] It is to be noted that the aforesaid synchronisation may
take place in an initial moment (for example when the user is at
home) in relation to a later moment (even after some time) when the
user begins to train on a gymnastic machine, for example in the
gym.
[0106] The portable electronic media 10, placed beside or inserted
in the gymnastic machine 3 in one of the ways described above, is
configured to transfer the user identification code to the
gymnastic machine 3, by means of the short range, two-way
communication channel, through NFC or Mifare technology, or by
means of connection via the USB port, in the case of manual
training by the user (which will proceed as described above), and
to also transfer the data representative of the training program of
the user, in one of the ways described above, in the case of
automatic training by the user.
[0107] As regards the results (partial or complete) of the
training, the gymnastic machine 3 is configured to transfer such
data to the remote electronic processor 9, on the basis of the user
identification code.
[0108] In greater detail, the gymnastic machine 3 is configured to
"track" the aforesaid data, and to transfer such data to the
portable electronic media 10, on the basis of the user
identification code, through the short-range communication channel
in NFC or Bluetooth technology, or by means of connection via the
USB port.
[0109] The portable electronic media 10 once placed beside the
portable electronic device 1, is configured to transfer to it the
partial or complete results of the training performed by the user,
on the basis of the user identification code, through the
short-range communication channel in NFC technology, or in an NFC
compatible technology), (synchronisation of data).
[0110] The portable electronic device 1 is configured to transfer
the partial or complete results of the training performed by the
user to the remote electronic processor 9, on the basis of the user
identification code, by means of the long range communication
channel, preferably the Internet connection (synchronisation of
data).
[0111] In a further embodiment, the gymnastic machine 3 may be
configured to transfer the partial or complete results of the
training directly to the remote electronic processor 9, on the
basis of the user identification code, by means of a long range
communication channel.
[0112] Again, in a further example of the invention, the gymnastic
machine 3 is advantageously configured to transfer to the remote
electronic processor 9, on the basis of the user identification
code provided by the portable electronic media 10, data
representative of the training program to be followed by the user,
by means of a long range communication channel.
[0113] With reference again to the example in FIG. 1, an example of
functioning of the training system 100 for a user using the
gymnastic machine 3 will now be described.
[0114] The user moves or rests the portable electronic device 1
(such as a mobile phone or smart phone) towards or on the gymnastic
machine 3 he intends to use for training until the distance between
the portable electronic device 1 and the gymnastic machine 3 is
such as to permit the formation of a short range, two-way
communication channel to transfer at least the user identification
code to the gymnastic machine 3.
[0115] Subsequently, in the case of the user choosing the automatic
training mode, the portable electronic device 1 (and/or the remote
electronic processor 9 directly) transfers to the gymnastic machine
3, on the basis of the user identification code, the data
representative of the training program of the user, and if
necessary data representative of some user parameters required by
the gymnastic machine to correctly set up the exercise envisaged by
the training program.
[0116] The gymnastic machine 3 automatically regulates itself on
the basis of the functioning parameters (speed, incline,
resistance, and so forth) received from the portable electronic
device 1 and/or from the remote electronic processor 9.
[0117] The user begins to exercise on the gymnastic machine 3 and
may enjoy on the display screen 5 any multimedia audio/video
content and/or photos stored in the memory module of the portable
electronic device 1, which can be transferred from the portable
electronic device 1 to the gymnastic machine 3 through the
short-range communication channel in Bluetooth technology.
[0118] During the performance of physical exercise by the user, the
gymnastic machine 3 tracks the partial (for example obtained every
5 seconds) or complete results of the training performed by the
user and transfers such results, on the basis of the user
identification code, to the portable electronic device 1, through
the short-range two-way communication channel.
[0119] Alternatively or in addition, the portable electronic device
1 transfers the partial or complete results of the training program
performed by the user, on the basis of the user identification
code, to the remote electronic processor 9, through the long range
communication channel.
[0120] As may be seen, the aim of the invention is fully achieved
in that the use of a short range communication interface (for
example in NFC technology) associated to the portable electronic
device 1 (incorporated therein or by means of a suitable electronic
adaptor, such as a microSD card) and a short range communication
interface (for example in NFC or compatible technology) associated
to the gymnastic machine 3 (incorporated therein or by means of an
electronic adaptor, or incorporated in the portable electronic
media usually used by the user to set up the gymnastic machine to
perform physical exercise) enables the user to form a short-range
communication channel to provide at least the user identification
code to the gymnastic machine (and subsequently other data too) by
simply using for example his mobile phone (smart phone). This
permits the user to advantageously authenticate himself to use the
gymnastic machine merely by moving/placing his mobile phone near
the gymnastic machine rather than having to proceed with a manual
authentication which usually requires entering of a user
identification code (login) and password.
[0121] In addition, the fact that the two-way short-range
communication channel is in NFC technology permits the user to
easily use his mobile phone to transfer the user identification
code to the gymnastic machine and subsequently to set the training,
in the case of training in manual mode, on the basis of the
aforesaid code, or to transfer to his mobile phone (and/or remote
electronic processor 9), on the basis of the aforesaid code, the
(partial or complete) results of the training program performed,
both in the case of training in manual mode and in the case of
training in automatic mode.
[0122] In addition, the short-range communication channel formed
permits the user to easily use any multimedia audio/video content
and/or photos stored in his mobile phone on the gymnastic
machine.
[0123] Lastly, it is to be noted that in the case in which the
formation of a Bluetooth communication channel between the mobile
phone and the gymnastic machine (suitable for the transfer of data
having large dimensions) is possible the short-range communication
interface associated to the mobile phone and the short-range
communication interface associated to the gymnastic machine, both
in NFC technology, advantageously permit the user to form the
communication channel in Bluetooth technology without entering a
security code to enable such. In such case, the user may move his
mobile phone towards the gymnastic machine to a distance of less
than 10 cm to permit the formation of the communication channel in
NFC technology while subsequently he can perform the training
keeping the mobile phone at a different distance from the gymnastic
machine in that the data transfer will continue in Bluetooth
technology which allows a maximum distance of about 20 m.
[0124] Moreover, the user is able to perform and monitor his
training using the portable electronic devices which he usually
uses during the day at other times or for other activities such as
the mobile phone (smart phone), audio/video content player (for
example MP3 or MP4 player) or tablet which are now already fitted
or can be fitted with an electronic adaptor (microSD card) with
short range communication interface, for example in NFC and
Bluetooth technology.
[0125] A person skilled in the art may make modifications and
adaptations to the embodiments of the gymnastic machine and
training system using said gymnastic machine described above
replacing elements with others functionally equivalent so as to
satisfy contingent requirements while remaining within the sphere
of protection of the following claims. Each of the characteristics
described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be realised
independently of the other embodiments described.
* * * * *